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  16 February 2006 This weeks news | Past News  | Send news
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'The Charles Magnante Story', Wisconsin - USA
Salomón Canelo's Radio Broadcast, Santiago de Querétaro - Mexico
'STAR WAYS' International Accordion Competition, Kragujevac - Serbia- Montenegro
Ferran Martinez's New CD, Barcelona - Spain
Music and Philosophy by Plato, Athens - Greece

 

Mauro Carra's UK Tour 2006
Sonata for Accordion Performed by Composer, Wroclaw - Poland

  Martin Lubenov's Jazzta Prasta CD and Tour, Vienna - Austria
Murl Allen Sanders' Performance Schedule, Seattle - USA
National Accordion Fun Festival, Scotland - UK
Sharon Shannon's Tour Dates, County Clare - Ireland
'Strauss and Co' Concert, Manchester - UK
Richard Galliano's 'Piazolla Forever' Tour of Europe
"Arrasate Hiria" International Accordion Competition, Gipuzkoa - Spain



'The Charles Magnante Story', Wisconsin - USA
Contributed by Rob Howard


Charles Magnante (1905-86) was and is considered by many as one of the world's great accordionists, and his arrangements and compositions are also held in high regard. A long overdue study of the life and works of Charles Magnante has now been made available, compiled, edited and published by Dr Helmi Harrington, accordionist and curator of 'A World of Accordions Museum' in Superior, Wisconsin.

'The Charles Magnante Story' is a 150 page, spiral bound book that contains a short autobiography, various illustrations, several essays on the life and works of Magnante, and itemised detailed lists of all Magnante's recordings, compositions, arrangements and tutor books. The book thus provides both an engrossing self-portrait and a complete overview of this outstanding accordionist's lifetime achievements.

The book also includes a 21 track CD of some of Maganate's classic recordings: 'Accordiana', 'Accordion Boogie', 'Dizzy Fingers', 'Flying Saucers', 'Green Light', 'Minuet in Jazz', 'Dance of the Comedians', 'Concertstueck', 'Flight of the Bumblebee', 'Holiday for Chord', 'Holiday for Bass', 'Hora Staccato', 'Malaguena', 'Perpetual Motion', 'Magnante Boogie', 'Gitanerias', 'Rhapsody in Blue', 'Andalucia', 'Espana Cani', 'Czardas' (V. Monti) and 'Carnival of Venice'.

For further for information email: accordion@sprynet.com
   
 

Salomón Canelo's Radio Broadcast, Santiago de Querétaro - Mexico
Contributed by Rob Howard

At 7pm on February 3rd accordionist Salomón Canelo gave a live broadcast on Radio Queretaro, performing music from his new CD 'Vanguardia'. The pieces performed, all composed by Salomón Canelo, were: 'Fenomeno de la Moncada'; 'Fiesta en la Moncada'; 'Sol de la Moncada'; 'San Miguel Arcángel'; 'El Balcón de San Miguel';'El Jardin de San Migue'l; 'Tarde Queretana'; 'Bonito Queretaro'; 'Adriana', and 'Dios con Nosotros'.

The broadcast was made before a large studio audience, and was heard throughout most of Mexico, and also worldwide via the Internet. Salomón's instrument is a Venuti Universal accordion, made in Italy in 1931, but personally restored and reconstructed by Canelo himself.

The son of the famous Mexican diatonic accordionist Red Salomón, Canelo has been director of the school of music of the union of musicians in Celaya, academic director of the union of musicians in the state of Guanajuato, and at present he is director of the music school in Vidargas. Salomon has made recordings on piano accordion, but is also a pianist, organist, singer and percussionist.

For further information email: salomoncanelo@yahoo.com.mx
 

'STAR WAYS' International Accordion Competition, Kragujevac - Serbia- Montenegro
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The 3rd International Competition for Young Accordionists takes place in Kragujevac, Serbia, from March 27th to 31st. This competition is organized by the concert agency AD LIBITUM and the Kragujevac Music School. The director of the competition, which caters for both button and piano accordions, is Professor Radomir Tomic.

For further information email: ad_libitum_kg@hotmail.com
 
   

Titano
Ferran Martinez's New CD, Barcelona - Spain
Contributed by Rob Howard

Ferran Martinez, Professor of Accordion at Barcelona Consevatory, has released a new CD of popular evergreen accordion classics titled 'La Magia Del Acordeon'. The tracks include such pieces as 'Adios Muchachos', 'Bamboleo', 'Begin the Beguine', 'Jealousy', 'La Paloma', 'Dark Eyes' and 'Tico Tico'.

For further information email: fmarti78@xtec.net
 
Lips

Music and Philosophy by Plato, Athens - Greece
Contributed by Harley Jones


The ancient Greek philosopher Plato has an enduring reputation for reasoned thinking. He observed the effect that music had on society in his day and made this thought provoking statement: "In order to take the spiritual temperature of an individual or society, one must mark the music." He also wrote the following universal truth:-

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Mauro Carra's UK Tour 2006
Contributed by Romano Viazzani

Mauro Carra's recent first concert tour of the UK was a great success. Anyone who attended any of the concerts, nine in total, can testify to the astonished reaction of the audience to this young man's virtuosity and musicality. The venues were packed out with keen accordion-lovers, many of whom were surprised that Carra is a relatively young man with his career still ahead of him. For his concert programme Carra performed a good selection of music ranging from musette, jazz, accordion showpieces and some contemporary variety pieces.

His pieces included Carlo Venturi's waltz 'Menestrello', the Art Van Damme arrangement of 'Deep Purple', the contemporary piece 'Itto', and Carra's own compositions 'Boulevarde Periferique' and 'Acrobatic Mazurka'. His program also featured compositions by Frank Marocco, namely 'Cynthia' and 'Ballade for Anne', and old favourites such as Monti's 'Czardas' and 'Migliavacca'. Two rarely heard compositions: Russ Messina's 1940's bop 'Breezin' Along' and Jerome Richard's 'Casse Gueule' made a big impact. 'Armonica Indiavolata' (G. Stok), 'Retour des Hirondelles' (Pagano/Trognée), 'Shopping Valse' (C. Thomain), 'Puzzle Polka' (A.Musichini), 'La Tempète' and 'Florette' (A.Astier), 'I need you' (M.Carra), 'Adrenaline Polka' (M.Carra/I.Comandini), 'Accordion Rag' (J.Rossi/A.Astier) - were all superbly interpreted to the delight of the audiences. As much of the mainland was covered by the concert tour as was possible in the given time. The venues included Uxbridge AC, Harlow AC, Guildford AC, White Horse AC, Club Accord, Soar Valley AC, North Staffs AC, Stockport AC, and Bruce Miller's music shop (Aberdeen) in Scotland.

At the end of each concert Mauro Carra was joined by his great friend Romano Viazzani for some cracking duets, which included 'Elettrico' (G. Stok), 'Tarantella Boogie' (Kramer/Wolmer), 'Indifference' (Colombo/Murena), 'La Cumparsita' (Rodriguez), 'Battagliero' (T.Pattacini) and the 'Carnival of Venice'. In Aberdeen and Leicester half the concert was shared with Romano Viazzani. In Harlow, Carra shared a concert with accordionist David Vernon. The success of the Carra/Viazzani partnership has prompted the duo to record an album together in the near future.

At each concert a big thank you went out to Beltrami Accordions and to Accordion World magazine for their support in realizing this extremely successful tour and, of course, to all the wonderful clubs and venues for inviting Carra to play in the UK. Carra's next UK appearance will be at The London World Music Festival, St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London, on May 20th.

For further information email: romanoviazzani@btconnect.com
  

Charnwood

Sonata for Accordion Performed by Composer, Wroclaw - Poland
Contributed by Rob Howard


Olexiy Suslov recently performed his own composition 'Sonata for Accordion, No 1' at the Villa Andrzejówka. Suslov plans to present this composition at the 2007 'From Baroque To Jazz' International Festival in Poland, performed by next year's prizewinners.

For further information email: suslov@wp.pl
 
 



Martin Lubenov's Jazzta Prasta CD and Tour, Vienna - Austria
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Martin Lubenov, originally from Bulgaria but now resident in Austria, is one of the best-known Balkan style accordionists. Lubenov has, however, taken traditional Balkan music and mixed in international influences such as swing, modern jazz, tango nuevo, salsa and musette. In doing this, he has been compared to Astor Piazzolla and Richard Galliano's approach to tango and musette respectively.

'Jazzta Prasta' is a quartet consisting of Martin Lubenov (accordion), Vladimir Karparov (saxophone), Georg Breinschmid (string bass) and Ventsislav Radev (drums). Lubenov leads 'Jazzta Prasta' in performing ethno and original jazz, and in March 2006 the group will release a CD titled 'Veselina'.

The tour dates of 'Jazzta Prasta', mainly in Austria, are as follows:-

February 15th - Graz (Austria), Stockwerk
16th - Innsbruck, Kulturgasthaus Bierstindl
17th - Stuttgart (Germany), Laboratorium
18th - Feldkirchen (Austria), Kultur-Forum-Amthof
22nd - Bad Ischl, Lehartheater
26th - Vienna, (Martin Lubenov, solo) - Kunstlerhaus Theater, Accordion Festival
March 8th - Landeck, Altes Kino
9th - Munich (Germany), Bayrischer Hof
10th - Lambach (Austria), Rossstall
11th - St. Florian, Altes Kino
25th - Vienna, Ost Klub, Ball des Österreichischen Friedensdienstes
 

Tom
Murl Allen Sanders' Performance Schedule, Seattle - USA
Contributed by Rob Howard

Accordionist Murl Allen Sanders will be performing at the Thirteen Coins, Sea-Tac, 18000 International Boulevard, close to the SeaTac Airport, from 7.30pm until midnight on the following dates:-

February 14th to 18th
March 13th to April 1st
May 9th to 13th

Murl is also performing at the Plymouth Congregational Church, Sixth and University, Seattle, at noon on Wednesdays (except Feb. 22nd, and March 1st and 22nd) with Susan Pascal and Phil Sparks. This is a short mellow jazz worship service with a short sermon. Murl will be the guest artiste at Salt Lake City Accordion Club on March 21st, and on June 24th, he performs at the Leavenworth Accordion Celebration.

For further information email: murl@murlallensanders.com
 

National Accordion Fun Festival, Scotland - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

The annual National Accordion Fun Festival takes place in Johnstone Town Hall from February 24th to 26th, and is a competition aimed largely at young accordionists. The festival involves performances by the Brian Laurie Showband and the Iain MacPhail Scottish Dance Band.

For further information email: info@festival4stars.com
   
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Sharon Shannon's Tour Dates, County Clare - Ireland
Contributed by Rob Howard

Diatonic accordionist Sharon Shannon has been recording since 1989. Her solo CD, 'Sharon Shannon', in 1991 has become the most commercially successful Irish traditional music album to date, and her subsequent releases 'Out the Gap', 'Each Little Thing', 'The Diamond Mountain Sessions', 'Libertango', 'Tunes' and 'The Sharon Shannon Collection' have also all been best sellers.

Sharon Shannon is to tour Australia and New Zealand during March, and the dates are as follows:-

March 1st and 2nd - The Beck's Verandah, Perth International Arts Festival, Australia
March 4th and 5th - Wellington International Arts Festival, New Zealand,
March 8th - Queensland Irish Association, Brisbane, Australia
9th - The Basement, Sydney
10th and 11th - Womadelaide Festival, Adelaide
12th and 13th - Port Fairy Folk Festival, Victoria
16th - Clfton Hill Hotel, Melbourne
17th, 18th and 19th - Commonwealth Games Performing Arts Cultural Festival, Victoria

For further information email: daithi@daisydiscs.com
  

Tom
'Strauss and Co' Concert, Manchester - UK
Contributed by Rob Howard

On March 5th, at 3pm, an Operetta concert involving an orchestra featuring an accordionist and soloists from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, will take place at William Hulme's Grammar School, Spring Bridge Road, Whalley Range, Manchester. The concert will include music by Strauss, Lehar, Kalman Stolz and many others. The event also includes a glass of wine and a piece of Apfelstrudel or Sachertorte.

For further information email: info@angloaustrian.demon.co.uk
 
Cali
Richard Galliano's 'Piazolla Forever' Tour of Europe
Contributed by Rob Howard

French accordionist Richard Galliano tours Europe with a concert program titled 'Piazolla Forever' in March and April. Galliano will be performing with the New York trio and vibraphone player Gary Burton.

March 11th - London, The Barbican
March 13th - Catania, Italy
March 15th - Roma, Italy
March 16th - Cite de la Musique, Paris, France
March 17th - Luxemburg
March 18th - Flagey, Brussels, Belgium
March 19th - Venice, Italy
March 20th - Pogobonsi, Italy
March 21st - Tonhalle, Zurich, Switz.
March 22nd- Bern, Switz.
March 24th - Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switz.
March 25th - Barcelona, Spain
March 26th - Madrid, Spain
March 28th - Monaco
March 29th - Maison de la Culture, Grenoble, France
March 31st - Arras, France
April 1st - Palais des Congres, LeMans, France

For further information email: ginga@wanadoo.fr
 
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"Arrasate Hiria" International Accordion Competition, Gipuzkoa - Spain
Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The 14th "Arrasate Hiria" International Accordion Competition for soloists will be held from December 6th to 9th in Arrasate-Mondragón (Basque Country), Spain. The event is organized by the 'Hauspoz' Euskal Herriko Akordeoi Elkartea, the Town Hall of Arrasate, and the County Council of Gipuzkoa. The competition will comprise of two rounds, with competitors performing set and own choice pieces. Full details are already available, and the closing date for entries is September 30th.

For further information email: arrasate@hauspoz.org
  
Faithe Deffner
 A new CD Review:

of
"Victoria" septet.

Review by
Alessandro Mugnoz.


The United States National Accordion News has been updated with the February edition. Please visit to find out the latest US news, contact information for the various accordion clubs and associations across the country and upcoming events. Please use the submit form on the site to send your news for publication.

Updated site for the Milwaukee Accordion Club, featuring upcoming 2006 concerts for their 15th Anniversary year. Among the star studded lineup include visiting artists Copper Box, World Champion Peter Soave, Mariya Vlasovva & Kirill Shytbin (winners of the 2005 Moscow Bayan Competition), entertainer Robin Pluer, the Milwaukee Accordion Club Ensemble, Grammy Nominee Kevin Solecki, Country Swing accordionist Ginny Mac, Dr. Lidia Kaminska, Chicago Jazz accordionist John Simkus and immediate past president of the ATG and concert accordionist Stas Venglevski.

Updated concert schedule of concert accordionist and recording artist Stas Venglevski

Updated information on the American Accordionists Association (AAA) including detailed information on events such as the July 12th to 16th Annual Competition and Festival, the March 19th Open Meeting featuring guest artist Peter Soave, the April 2nd 2006 Winery Scholarship Afternoon, and the 12th annual Master Class and Concert series, moderated by Dr. William Schimmel.

Information about the upcoming Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) festival from June 29 - July 2nd, 2006 at the Ramada Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN.

 

Yehuda Oppenheimer releases 3 arrangements of 'Portuguese Dance', 'Frailach' and 'Alexandrova'. Samples of the music are available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card.

The FISMEN, a new accordion company.

A new site selling a CD titled "Dúo de Acordeón Clásico" with sound samples. Music performed by Angel Luis Castaño and Raquel Ruiz. Purchase online.

A new site selling a CD titled "Musika Kontenporaneoa Akordeoia" with sound samples. Music performed by Angel Luis Castaño. Purchase online.

A new site selling a CD titled "Patrick Busseuil" with sound samples. Music performed by Angel Luis Castaño. Purchase online.

Sandy Brechin
James O' Brien - composer, arranger and performer, releases another 6 new works for accordion available for purchase online: 'Danse Deux'(traditional), 'John Peel' (traditional), 'March Of The Kings' (traditional), 'O Soldier, Soldier' (traditional), 'The Queensland Drover' (traditional), 'With My Swag All On My Shoulder' (traditional). Samples of this music are available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card.
Bernadette
Gary Dhal releases 3 arrangements of 'Les Bicyclettes De Belsize', 'Pigalle' and 'Under Paris Skies'. Samples of the music are available online. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card.
Yehuda
Musicforaccordion.com is publishing seven new eSheet music, 'La Pachanga', 'Gypsy Mood', 'Waltz Piquante' 'A Calm Voyage', 'Spring Song', 'Summer Dance '. Samples of the music is available on the site. The music is in eSheet format, able to be emailed to your computer. Purchase with credit card. 
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